Taganito Hydrometallurgical Processing Plant Project - Environmental Impact Statement

Taganito Hydrometallurgical Processing Plant Project

Environmental Impact Statement
Taganito Mining Corporation

Document No.: R08-014 July 2008

R08-014

Prepared for
Taganito Mining Corporation

Prepared by
Maunsell Philippines Inc
11/F Ayala Life - FGU Center, 6811 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Philippines
T +632 843 6336 F +632 843 6125 www.maunsell.com

21 July 2008

51050307

© Maunsell Philippines Inc 2008

The information contained in this document produced by Maunsell Philippines Inc is solely for the use of the Client identified on
the cover sheet for the purpose for which it has been prepared and Maunsell Philippines Inc undertakes no duty to or accepts
any responsibility to any third party who may rely upon this document.

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J:5105030701_Administration007_ReportsEIARev 4Rev4. Chapter 1&2 Basic Project Info.21Jul08.doc
Revision 4 21 July 2008

Quality Information
Document Environmental Impact Statement

Ref 51050307

Date 21 July 2008

Prepared by Maunsell Environmental Study Team

Reviewed by Naniel V. Aragones / Jess P. Bayrante / Jo Rowena Garcia

Revision History

Authorised
Revision Revision Date Details
Name/Position Signature
0 09/04/2008 Preliminary Issue Jess P. Bayrante
Associate Director -
Environment

1 18/04/2008 With TMC’s comments Jess P. Bayrante
Environment

2 21/04/2008 For EIARC review Jess P. Bayrante
Environment

3 28 May 2008 Additional Information Jess P. Bayrante
Environment

4 21 July 2008 Final EIS Jess P. Bayrante
Environment


Table of Contents
Project Fact Sheet i

Executive Summary iv

1.0 Basic Project Information 1-1

2.0 Description of the Project’ EIA Process
s 2-1
2.1 Terms of Reference of the EIA Study 2-1
2.2 The EIA Team 2-1
2.3 EIA Study Schedule 2-2
2.4 EIA Study Area 2-3
2.5 EIA Methodology 2-3
2.6 Public Participation 2-3

3.0 Project Description 3-1
3.1 Project Location and Area 3-1
3.2 Project Rationale 3-2
3.3 Project Alternatives 3-2
3.4 Project Components 3-5
3.4.1 Hydrometallurgical Processing Plant (HPP) and Associated Facilities 3-9
3.4.2 Auxiliary Facilities 3-22
3.5 Description of Project Phases 3-31
3.5.1 Pre-construction/Pre-operational Phase 3-31
3.5.2 Construction/Development Phase 3-32
3.5.3 Operational Phase 3-32
3.5.4 Abandonment Phase 3-32
3.6 Project Wastes and Built-in Management Measures 3-33
3.7 Manpower Requirements 3-36
3.8 Project Cost 3-36
3.9 Project Duration and Schedule 3-36

4.0 Baseline Environmental Conditions, Impact Assessment and Mitigation 4-1
4.1 The Land 4-1
4.1.1 Land Use and Classification 4-1
4.1.2 Geology and Geomorphology 4-2
4.1.3 Geohazard Analysis 4-7
4.1.4 Terrestrial Flora 4-13
4.1.5 Terrestrial Fauna 4-20
4.2 The Water 4-26
4.2.1 Hydrology and Hydrogeology 4-26
4.2.2 Key Impacts and Mitigating Measures 4-34
4.2.3 Oceanography 4-40
4.2.5 Sediment Transport 4-47
4.2.6 Water Quality 4-47
4.2.7 Sediment Quality 4-58
4.2.9 Freshwater Biology 4-59
4.2.11 Marine Biology 4-66
4.3 The Air 4-88
4.3.1 Meteorology 4-88


4.3.2 Ambient Air Quality and Noise 4-89
4.4 The People 4-107
4.4.1 Demographic Data 4-107
4.4.2 Household Survey 4-109
4.4.3 Key Socio-Economic Conditions 4-110
4.4.4 Community Perception and Social Acceptability 4-112
4.4.5 Project Awareness 4-113
4.4.6 Indigenous People 4-114
4.4.7 Key Impact and Mitigating Measures 4-118
4.4.8 Public Health 4-123

5.0 Preliminary Risk Assessment 5-1
5.1 General Risk Assessment 5-1
5.1.1 Conceptual Framework, Approach and Methodology 5-1
5.1.2 Hazard Identification 5-2
5.1.3 Risk Analysis 5-2
5.1.4 Hazard Analysis 5-2
5.1.5 Consequence Analysis 5-6
5.1.6 Frequency Analysis 5-7
5.1.7 Estimation of Risk 5-7
5.1.8 Risk Assessment 5-8
5.2 Environmental Risk Management Plan 5-8
5.2.1 Emergency Response Policy and General Measures 5-8

6.0 Environmental Management Plan 6-1
6.1 Impacts Management Plan 6-1
6.2 Social Development Framework 6-11
6.3 IEC Framework 6-13
6.4 Abandonment/Decommissioning/Rehabilitation Policies 6-16
6.5 Environmental Monitoring Plan 6-16
6.5.1 Self Monitoring Plan 6-16
6.5.2 Multi-Sectoral Monitoring Framework 6-24
6.5.3 Environmental Guarantee and Monitoring Fund Commitment 6-24
6.5.4 Institutional Plan for EMP Implementation 6-24

7.0 References 7-1


List of Figures
1.0-1 Location Map and Site Development Plan of the Proposed Taganito HPP Project
3.1-1 Project Location Map
3.1-2 Map of Primary Impact Areas
3.1-3 Map of Secondary Project Impact Areas
3.4-1 Taganito HPP Project Site Development Plant
3.4.1-1 Process Flow Chart
3.4.1-2 Material Balance Diagram of the Taganito HPP (for 30kT-Ni as MS + 15kT-Ni as
Hydroxide)
3.4.1-3 Water Balance Diagram of the Taganito HPP Project
3.4.2-1 Conceptual Lay-out Plan of the Wharf
3.4.2-2 Proposed Alignment of the Wharf
3.4.2-3 Sectional Views of the Wharf
4.1.2-1 Regional Geologic Map of Mindanao
4.1.2-2 Geologic Cross-sections
4.1.2-3 Soil Fertility Sampling Points
4.1.3-1 Slope map for the Taganito Mines Project area
4.1.3-1 Distribution Map of the Philippines, PHIVOLCS 2000
4.1.3-2 Active Faults Distribution Map of the Philippines, PHIVOLCS 2000
4.1.4-1 Figure Location of the vegetation sampling quadrats
4.1.5-1 Location of the wildlife sampling sites
4.2.1-1 Map showing the Location of the PAGASA Statios (with MAR in mm) Relative to the
Taganito Mines Project Area
4.2.1-2 Map showing the Location of the Hydrology Sampling Stations
4.2.1-9 Composite Plot of Annual, Cumulative Annual and Monthly Maximum, Mean and Minimum
Rainfall – Mine Site Station
4.2.1-10 Map Showing the Proposed Facilities and Developments in the Different River Basins
4.2.1-11 Calculated Flow Duration Curve at the Proposed Diversion Weir in the Taganito River
4.2.1-12 Calculated Flow Duration Curve at the Proposed Diversion Weir in the Daang Suba River
4.2.1-13 Comparative Flow Duration Curve of Taganito River Under Existing Condition and With
Tailings Dam and Diversion Weir (Encircled Ordinates are 0.1 or 10 year and 0.01 or 100-
year Exceedance)
4.2.1-14 Comparative Flow Duration Curve of Hayanggabon River Under Existing Condition and
With Tailings Dam (Encircled Ordinates are 0.1 or 10-year and 0.01 or 100-year
Exceedance
4.2.3-1 Map showing the study area
4.2.3-2 Bathymetry of study area. Contour lines in meters
4.2.3-3 Map showing station locations covered during the field survey
4.2.3-4 Map showing the model domain overlaid by bathymetry in meters
4.2.3-5 Vertical profiles of salinity and temperature
4.2.3-6 Surface current. From drogue measurements
4.2.3-7 Simulated surface current in January (top) and August (bottom)
4.2.3-8 Vertically averaged current in January (top) and August (bottom) simulated by POM
4.2.3-9 Modeled tidal velocities during ebb (left) and flood (right) conditions (from Villanoy and
Magno, 2006)
4.2.6-1 Location Map of Water Quality Sampling Stations


4.2.6-2 Supplementary coastal water quality sampling stations in the coastal waters of Taganito,
Carascal Bay, and Canal Bay. The white rectangular outline depicts the area shown in
Figure 4.2.6-3.
4.2.6-3 Supplementary coastal water quality sampling stations in the coastal waters of Taganito
4.2.6-4 Cadmium levels in the coastal waters of Taganito, Canal Bay, and Carascal Bay
4.2.6-5 Copper levels in the coastal waters of Taganito, Canal Bay, and Carascal Bay
4.2.6-6 Pb levels in the coastal waters of Taganito, Canal Bay, and Carascal Bay
4.2.9-1 Counts of Aquatic Insect Groups
4.2.9-2 Counts and Number of Taxa of Aquatic Fauna from the Different Sampling Stations
4.2.11-1 Area covered by site reconnaissance of coastal waters
4.2.11-2 Location Map of Marine Sampling Stations
4.2.11-3 Total average densities of soft bottom benthos in the marine Environment of Taganito HPP
Site, Surigao
4.2.11-4 Total estimated abundance of crustacean fauna in the marine environment of Taganito
HPP Site, Surigao
4.2.11-5 Total estimated abundance of polychaetes in the marine environment of Taganito HPP
Site, Surigao
4.2.11-6 Phytoplankton densities in 4 marine stations within the vicinity of Taganito, Surigao
4.2.11-7 Zooplankton densities in 4 marine stations within the vicinity of Taganito, Surigao
4.2.11-8 Zooplankton biomass in 4 marine stations within the vicinity of Taganito, Surigao
4.2.11-9 Shoot density of the different seagrass species recorded per station. Data presented are
mean (±)standard error (SE). Hun: Halodule uninervis, Hovs: Halophila ovalis, Thal:
halassia
hemprichii, Cyro: Cymodocea rotundata, Syri: Syringdoium isoetifolium, Enha: Enhalus
acoroides, and Cyse: Cymodocea serrulata
4.2.11-10 Total shoot density of the seagrasses in the different sites surveyed in Claver area. Data
presented are mean (±) standard error (SE).
4.2.11-11 Above- (white shaded area) and below- (gray shade area) ground biomass allocation (g dry
weight m-2) of the different seagrass species located in white sand (Site 1, A) and north
(Site 2, B) of Aling Island, Urbiztondo (Site 4, C), and Taganito (Site 5, D). Data presented
are mean ± standard error (SE)
4.2.11-12 Total biomass allocation of seagrasses in the different Sites surveyed around the
municipality of Claver. White shaded portion: aboveground; gray shaded portion:
belowground biomass. Data presented are mean ± standard error (SE)
4.3.2-1 Location of Air Quality Sampling Stations
4.3.3-1 Predicted 1-hour TSP Ground Level Concentration (ug/Ncm) TSP Highest Value of
94ug/Ncm vs DENR NAAQS of 300ug/Ncm
4.3.3-2 Predicted 1-hour SO2 Ground Level Concentration (ug/Ncm) SO2 Highest Value of
335ug/Ncm vs. DENR NAAQS of 340ug/Ncm
4.3.3-3 Predicted 1-hour NO2 Ground Level Concentration (ug/Ncm) NO2 highest value of
230ug/Ncm vs. DENR NAAQS of 260ug/Ncm
4.3.3-4 Predicted 24-hour TSP Ground Level Concentration (ug/Ncm) TSP Highest Value of
54ug/Ncm vs DENR NAAQGV of 230ug/Ncm
4.3.3-5 Predicted 24-hour SO2 Ground Level Concentration (ug/Ncm) SO2 Highest Value of
135ug/Ncm vs. DENR NAAQGV of 180ug/Ncm
4.3.3-6 Predicted 24-hour NO2 Ground Level Concentration (ug/Ncm) NO2 highest value of
92ug/Ncm vs. DENR NAAGQV of 150ug/Ncm
4.3.3-7 Predicted 30-min H2S Ground Level Concentration (ug/Ncm) H2S highest value of
3.7ug/Ncm vs. DENR NAAQS of 100ug/Ncm


4.3.3-8 Predicted 1-hour CO Ground Level Concentration (ug/Ncm) CO highest value of 28ug/Ncm
vs. DENR NAAQGV of 35ug/Ncm
4.3.3-9 Predicted 8-hour CO Ground Level Concentration (ug/Ncm) CO highest value of 10ug/Ncm
vs. DENR NAAQGV of 10ug/Ncm
4.4.1 Settlement Map of All Project-Affected Areas
5.1.1-1 Schematic Flow of Risk Assessment
6.5.1-1 Proposed Marine Monitoring Points
6.5.4-1 TMC Organizational Chart for EMP implementation

List of Tables
2.1-1 List of Significant Issues Raised During the Scoping Meetings
2.2-1 The EIA Study Team
2.3-1 EIA Schedule of Activities
2.6-1 List of Public Consultations Conducted
3.4-1 Project Components and Location
3.4.1-1 Description of HPP Circuits
3.4.1-2 H2S Plant Specifications
3.4.1-3 Properties and Quality of Hydrogen Sulfide
3.4.2-1 Tailings Storage Facility Specifications
3.4.2-2 Total reserves of Limestone quarry
3.4.2-3 Stages of Quarrying Operation
3.4.2-4 Description of Materials Storage Facility
3.5.1-1 Project Permits
3.6-1 Potential Project Wastes
3.7-1 Breakdown of Personnel
3.9-1 Project Duration and Work Schedule
4.1.2-1 Geologic Units in the Project Site
4.1.2-2 Soil Fertility Sampling Point Details
4.1.2-3 Soil Properties
4.1.3.-1 Geohazards in relation to slopes
4.1.3-2 Geohazards, Impacts and Mitigation
4.1.3-3 Earthquake Distribution
4.1.3-4 Major Earthquake Generators and Ground Acceleration
4.1.4-1 Location of the sampling Quadrats
4.1.4-2 Species Richness of the Three Types of Vegetation Cover
4.1.4-3 List of the Species at the Open forest and their corresponding importance value (IV)
4.1.4-4 List of the species at the limestone forest and their corresponding importance value (IV)
4.1.4-5 List of the species at the brushland and their corresponding importance value (IV)
4.1.4-6 Diversity indices and number of species for each transect line
4.1.4-7 List of the Mindanao Island endemics recorded from the sampling quadrats
4.1.4-8 List of Species included in the National Red List
4.1.5-1 Locations of the wildlife sampling sites
4.1.5-2 List of noteworthy species in Brgys. Cagdianao, Hayanggabon, Taganito and Sapa
4.2.1-1 List of catchments and corresponding Project area/facility drained
4.2.1-2 Comparative summary of measured and simulated velocity and river flows


4.2.1-3 Summary of Changes and Runoff and groundwater recharge depths
4.2.6-1 Locations of the Surface Water Quality Sampling Stations
4.2.6-2 Location of the Groundwater quality sampling Stations
4.2.6-3 Location of the Marine and Coastal water Quality sampling Stations
4.2.9-1 Freshwater Benthos in the River Systems Collected by Kick Net
4.2.11-1 Benthic attributes for sites sampled off Barangays Taganito, Hayanggabon and Urbiztondo
4.2.11-2 Species list and counts per station of reef fishes off Taganito
4.2.11-3 List of commercial fishes landed in Hayanggabon
4.2.11-4 Average estimated density (number of individuals/m2 of soft bottom benthos in the marine
environment of Taganito Nickel HPP Project, Surigao
4.2.11-5 Density and list of phytoplankton for each station in Taganito, Surigao
4.2.11-6 Density and list of zooplankton for each station in Taganito, Surigao
4.2.11-7 List of seaweed-associated species in seagrass meadows and their relative cover and
frequency of occurrences in Claver
4.3.2-1 Air Quality and Noise sampling Stations
4.3.2-2 Methods of Noise Sampling and Air Analysis for SO2, NOx, TSP and PM-10
4.3.2-3 Results of 1-Hour Ambient Air Quality Monitoring
4.3.2-4 Results of 24-Hour Ambient Air Quality Monitoring
4.3.2-5 Air Quality Indices (Source: Annex A of DAO 2000-81)
4.3.2-6 Ambient Noise Levels
4.3.2-7 Philippine Ambient Noise Standards
4.4.1-1 Summary of Demographic Profile :Project-Affected Communities (PACs)
4.4.1-2 Power Supply and Demand
4.4.1-3 Water Supply and Demand
4.4.2-1 Key Features of Project-Affected Communities (PACs)
4.4.3-1 Summary of Basic Household Features of Project-Affected Communities (PACs)
4.4.3-2 Main Source of Income : Project-Affected Communities (PACs)
5.1.4-1 Hazard Materials Associated with the Project
5.1.4-2 Hazard Analysis Matrix
5.1.5-1 Results of External Consequence Computation
5.1.6-1 Results of Frequency Calculation
5.1.7-1 Results of Preliminary Risks Posed by the Project’s Operations
5.2.1-1 List of Equipments for Various Emergency Conditions
6.1-1 Summary of the various impacts and mitigation measures for the different project phases
6.2.1 The Social Development Framework
6.3-1 Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Plan/Framework
6.5-1 Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMoP) with Environmental Quality Performance Levels
(EQPLs)

List of Plates
3.4-1 Proposed location of HPP at the southern portion of Barangay Hayanggabon
3.4-2 Proposed location of HPP overlooking Telegrapo Island
3.4-3 Proposed location of the Ore preparation Circuit at the north western portion of the mine
site called “Taga 2”
3.4-4 Proposed location of the Ore Preparation Circuit
3.4-5 Proposed location of the Ore Preparation Circuit


3.4-6 Proposed wharf berth located beside the existing wharf facility
3.4-7 Proposed location of the Quarry Site
3.4-8 Proposed Tailings Dam Site Quarry Site
4.1.4-1 The three general vegetation types in the development area: (a) open forest (at the initial
stage of regeneration); (b) limestone forest; and (c) brushland)
4.1.6-1 Stands of woody fern observed in Site 1
4.1.6-2 Vegetation cover in Site 1
4.2.6-1 Station SW1 at taganito River. Brownish turbid waters were noted in the wet season in
contrast with the clear waters observed during the dry season sampling. Runoff from
exposed slopes upstream of the station contribute to the turbidity in the wet season. This
station is located upstream of the proposed tailings dawm in Taganito River
4.2.6-2 The station drains an area of the watershed that is currently unaffected by mining
operations. Waters during the dry and wet season sampling were noted to be clear. This
is considered as a control station and will not be affected by the proposed HPP operations
4.2.6-3 Station SW3 at Taganito River. Brownish, turbid waters were noted in the wet season
while clearer waters with a much lower stream flow was noted during the dry season. The
station is downstream of an existing siltation pond. It will be downstream of the proposed
tailings dam
4.2.6-4 Station SW4 at Taganito River. The station represents the confluence of Stations SW2 and
SW3. Clear waters were noted in the dry season. Turbid waters noted in the wet season
was due to the turbidity of station of SW2
4.2.6-5 Station SW5 at Taganito River. Slightly turbid waters and high flows were noted during the
wet season. Runoff from banks such as that in the foreground primarily contributes to the
turbidity. Lower flows and clearer waters were noted in the dry season
4.2.6-6 Station SW6 at Taganito River. High flow and turbid waters were noted during the wet
season. Less turbid waters with lower flow was noted in the dry season. The site will be
affected by the proposed tailings dam
4.2.6-7 Station SW7 at Tagnito River. Turbid waters were noted during the wet season as
compared to the dry season. The site is situated upstream of the proposed tailings
disposal dam
4.2.6-8 Station SW8 at Taganito River
4.2.6-9 Station SW9 at Hayanggabon River. Turbid waters were noted during the wet season
sampling. The site will be affected by the proposed tailings dam in Hayanggabon River
4.2.6-10 Plate 4.2.6-10. Station SW10 at Hayanggabon River
4.2.6-11 Station SW11 at Sensio Creek. Clear waters were observed in the wet and dry seasons.
Sensio Creek is the stream nearest the town site
4.2.6-12 Station SW12 at Magallanes River. The station is near the proposed quarry site
4.2.6-13 Station SW13 at Magallanes River. The station is near the proposed quarry site
4.2.6-14 Station SW14 at Sapa River
4.2.6.15 Station SW15 at Magallanes River. The station is downstream the proposed quarry site
4.2.9-1 The kicknet method of sampling
4.2.9-2 Sorting of aquatic fauna caught by kicknet
4.2.9-3 Brown coloration on riparian vegetation indicating water level during flooding after a heavy
rainfall, and erosion of riverbanks at SW 4
4.2.9-4 Rocks at SW11 heavily covered with sediments
4.2.9-5 Station SW1 located in creek at the inlet of a siltation pond
4.2.9-6 Station SW2 located at Taganito River before SW 4
4.2.9-7 Station SW3 which feeds into Taganito River
4.2.9-8 Station SW4 which is downstream of Station 2 along Taganito River


4.2.9-9 Station SW5 located further downstream of Taganito River
4.2.9-10 Station SW6 located downstream of the discharge of a siltation pond
4.2.9-11 Station SW7 located upstream of Station 6
4.2.9-12 Station SW8 near the Taganito River mouth
4.2.9-13 Station SW9 upstream of Hayanggabon River
4.2.9-14 Station SW10 near Taganito River mouth
4.2.9-15 Station SW11 located near the mouth of Sencio Creek
4.2.9-16 Station SW12 upstream of Magallanes River before confluence with Sapa River
4.2.9-17 Station SW13 downstream of Magallanes River and Sapa River confluence
4.2.9-18 Station SW14 upstream of Sapa River
4.2.9-19 Station SW15 downstream of Magallanes-Paoy River
4.2.11.1-1 Branching Acropora formosa northeast of Aling Island
4.2.11.1-2 Coral growth forms found southwest of Aling Island
4.2.11.1-3 Corals mounds found off Karaang Banwa
4.2.11.1-4 Corals with silt in between depressions off Malingin Islet
4.3.2-1 Air Quality Station No. 1 at TMC Staff House (February 2007) near Ore Preparation Area
4.3.2-2 Air Quality Station No. 2 at the Mine Pit Taga-2 (February 2007 near Proposed Tailings
Dam
4.3.2-3 Air Quality Station No. 3 at the Mine Yard Taga-3 (February 2007) near proposed Tailings
Dam
4.3.2-4 Air Quality Station No. 4 at the IPs Relocation Site (February 2007) near Ore Preparation
Area
4.3.2-5 Air Quality Station No. 5 at Brgy. Taganito (February 2007) near Ore Preparation Area
4.3.2-6 Air Quality Station No. 6 at gawad Kalinga (February 2007) near Ore Preparation Area
4.3.2-7 Air Quality Station No. 7 at Hayanggabon Elementary school (February 2007) Proposed
HPP vicinity
4.3.2-8 Air Quality Station No. 8 at Brgy. Hayanggabon (February 2007) Proposed HPP Vicinity
4.3.2-9 Air Quality Station No. 9 at Brgy. Sapa (February 2008) near proposed Limestone Quarry
Area
4.3.2-10 Air Quality Station No. 10 at Brgy. Ladgaron (February 2008) near proposed Limestone
Quarry Area
4.3.2.11 A Truck Generating Dust in the Mine Yard (May 2007)
4.4.6-1 Mamanua Relocation Site
5.1.4-1 Hazard Material Associated with the Project
5.1.4-2 Hazard Analysis Matrix
5.1.5-1 Results of External Consequences Computation
5.1.6-1 Results of Frequency Calculation
5.1.7-1 Results of Preliminary Risks Posed by the Project’s Operations

List of Annexes
1-1 Sworn Accountability Statement of the Project Proponent
1-2 SEC Registration
1-3 Sworn Accountability Statement of the EIA Preparers
2-1 Site Scoping List of Issues
2-2 Attendance Sheet during the Public Scoping
2-3 Technical Scoping Checklist & Attendance Sheet


List of Appendices
3.4.1 Configuration of Power Station
4.1.1 Figure 1 Existing Land Use Map of Municipality of Claver, Surigao del Norte
4.1.1 Figure 2 Proposed Land Use Map of Municipality of Claver, Surigao del Norte
4.1.4 Table 1 Llst of Species Recorded during the Vegetation Survey
4.1.4 Table 2 List of Philippine Endemics from the Sampling Quadrats
4.1.4 Table 1 List of amphibian, reptile and mammal species recorded from Brgys. Cagdianao,
Hayanggabon, Taganito, and Sapa, Mun. of Claver, Surigao del Norte
4.1.5 Table 2 List of bird species recorded from Brgys. Cagdianao, Hayanggabon, Taganito, and
Sapa, Mun. of Claver, Surigao del Norte
4.1.5 Text 1 Detailed Discussion for Each Group of Wildlife.doc
4.1.5 Text 2 Data Analysis
4.2.1.1 Table 1 Monthly and Annual Rainfall Data (mm) at the Taganito Camp Site (1994 -2006)
4.2.1.1Table 2 Monthly and Annual Rainfall Data (mm) at the Taganito Mine Site (1994 -2006)
4.2.1.1 Table 3a Summary of Peak Wet Season (January 2007) Velocity Measurements and
Discharge Computations – Main Taganito River (SW-1)
4.2.1.1 Table 3b Summary of Recession or Less Wet Period (April 2007) Velocity Measurements and
Discharge Computations - Main Taganito River (SW-1)
4.2.1 Table 4a Summary of Peak Wet Season (January 2007) Velocity Measurements and
Discharge Computations – Daku Creek (SW-2)
4.2.1 Table 4b Summary of Recession or Less Wet Period (April 2007) Velocity Measurements and
Discharge Computations - Main Taganito River upstream (SW-2’)
Discharge Computations – Daang Suba River (SW-3)
4.2.1Table 5b Summary of Recession or Less Wet Period (April 2007) Velocity Measurements and
Discharge Computations - Daang Suba River (SW-3)
Discharge Computations – Hayanggabon River (SW-4)
4.2.1 Table 6b Summary of Recession or Less Wet Period (April 2007) Velocity Measurements and
Discharge Computations - Hayanggabon River (SW-4)
Discharge Computations – Sensio Creek (SW-5)
4.2.1Table 7b Summary of Recession or Less Wet Period (April 2007) Velocity Measurements and
Discharge Computations – Sensio Creek (SW-5)
4.2.1Table 8 12-Year Estimated Monthly and Annual Average Discharge, m3/sec. – Taganito
River
4.2.1 Table 9 12-Year Estimated Monthly and Annual Average Discharge, m3/sec. – Daang Suba
River
4.2.1Table 10 12-Year Estimated Monthly and Annual Average Discharge, m3/sec. – Hayanggabon
River
4.2.1 Table 11 12-Year Estimated Monthly and Annual Average Discharge, m3/sec. – Sensio Creek
4.2.1 Table 12 12-Year Estimated Monthly and Annual Average Discharge, m3/sec. – Township
River
4.2.1 Table 13 Estimated Monthly and Annual Average Discharge (m3/sec.) for Taganito River With
Reduced Catchment Area Due to Tailings Dam No. 1 and Diversion Weir
4.2.1 Table 14 Estimated Monthly and Annual Average Discharge (m3/sec.) for Hayanggabon River
With Reduced Catchment Area Due to Tailings Dam No. 3
4.2.1 Table 15 Estimated Potential Evapotranspiration in mm at the Lake Mainit Station


4.2. Table 16 Monthly and Annual Water Balance Under Existing Conditions – Taganito River
Basin
4.2.1 Table 17 Monthly and Annual Water Balance Under Existing Conditions – Daang Suba River
Basin
4.2.1 Table 18 Monthly and Annual Water Balance Under Existing Conditions – Hayanggabon River
Basin
4.2.1 Table 19 Monthly and Annual Water Balance Under Existing Conditions – Sensio Creek River
Basin
4.2.1 Table 20 Monthly and Annual Water Balance Under Existing Conditions – Township River
Basin
4.2.1 Table 21 Monthly and Annual Water Balance Under Existing Conditions – Paoy-Magallanes
River Basin
4.2.1 Table 22 Monthly and Annual Water Balance Under Existing Conditions – Sapa Creek Basin
4.2.1 Table 23 Monthly and Annual Water Balance With Ore Preparation Area – Taganito River
Basin
4.2.1Table 24 Monthly and Annual Water Balance With Decant Pond – Hayanggabon River Basin
4.2.1Table 25 Monthly and Annual Water Balance With HPP – Sensio River Basin
4.2.1 Table 26 Monthly and Annual Water Balance With New Township – Township River Basin
4.2.1.3 General Climatologic Condition
4.2.4 Table 1 Erosion Calculation using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)1, Area 1
4.2.4 Table 2 Erosion Calculation using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)1, Area 2
4.2.5 Sediment Transport Study
4.2.6 Table 1 Groundwater Quality with the Appropriate Quality Criteria (Wet Season)
4.2.6 Table 2 Groundwater Quality with the Appropriate Quality Criteria (Dry Season)
4.2.6 Table 3 Groundwater quality with the Appropriate quality Criteria (Additional)
4.2.6 Table 4 Surface Water Quality with the Appropriate Quality Criteria (Wet Season)
4.2.6 Table 5 Surface water Quality with the Appropriate quality Criteria (Dry Season)
4.2.6 Table 6 Surface water Quality with the Appropriate Quality Criteria (Additional)
4.2.6 Table 7 Coastal and Marine Water Quality with Appropriate Quality Criteria (Wer Season)
4.2.6 Table 8 Coastal and Marine Water Quality with the Appropriate Quality Criteria (Dry Season)
4.26. Table 9 Coastal and Marine Water Quality with the Appropriate Quality Criteria (Additional)
4.2.6 Figure 1 Supplementary coastal water Quality sampling Stations in the coastal water of
Taganito
4.2.6 Figure 2 Supplementary coastal water Quality Sampling Stations in the coastal waters of
Taganito, Carascal Bay and Canal Bay. The white rectangular outline depicts the
area shown in Figure 2
4.2.6 Figure 3 Cadmium levels in the coastal waters of Taganito, Canal Bay, and Carascal Bay
4.2.6 Figure 4 Copper levels in the coastal waters of Taganito, Canal Bay, and Carascal Bay
4.2.6 Figure 5 Pb levels in the coastal water of Taganito, Canal Bay, and Carascal Bay
4.2.7 Table 1 Heavy Metal Concentrations in the Stream and marine Sediments (Wet Season)
4.2.7 Table 2 Heavy Metal Concentration in the Stream and Marine Sediments (Dry Season)
4.2.7 Table 3 Index of Geo-accumulation (Wet Season)
4.2.7 Table 4 Index of Geo- accumulation (Dry Season)
4.2.7 Table 5 Index of Geo-accumulation (additional)
4.2.6 Table 6 Pollution Class Based on 1 geo
4.2.11.3 Table 1 Average estimated density of soft bottom benthos by station at the Taganito HPP
Site, Surigao


4.2.11.4 Table 1 Nitrate concentrations in 4 marine stations within the vicinity of Taganito, Surigao
4.2.11.4 Table 2 Nitrate concentrations in 4 marine stations within the vicinity of Taganito, Surigao
4.2.11.4 Table 3 Phosphate concentrations in 4 marine stations within the vicinity of Taganito,
Surigao
4.2.11.4 Table 4 Ammonium concentrations in 4 marine stations within the vicinity of Taganito,
Surigao
4.3.1.1 Figure 2 Annual Wind Rose Data (Surigao City) – 1997 to 1996
4.3.1 Figure 4 Frequency of Tropical Cyclone Passage
4.3.1 Table 1 Climatological Normals
4.3.1 Table 2 Climatological Extreme
4.3.3 Limitations and Assumptions of Air Modeling
4.3.3 Figure 1 Predicted 30-min H2S Ground Level Concentration (ug/Ncm) H2S highest value of
3.7ug/Ncm vs. DENR NAAQS of 100ug/Ncm at 800 m W of the proposed HPP
4.3.3 Figure 2 Predicted 1-hour CO Ground Level Concentration (ug/Ncm) CO highest value of
28ug/Ncm vs. DENR NAAQGV of 35ug/Ncm at the tailings dam at Taga 3
4.3.3 Figure 3 Predicted 1-hour CO Ground Level Concentration (ug/Ncm) CO highest value of
10ug/Ncm vs. DENR NAAQGV of 10ug/Ncm at the tailings dam at Taga 2
4.4.1a Household Population by age-Group, Sex, Municipality of Claver, 2000
4.4.1b Literacy and Illiteracy Rate by Sex Per Barangay from 6 years old 15 years old SY
2004-2005
4.4.1c Literacy and Illiteracy Rate by Sex Per Barangay from 16 years old and above
4.4.2 Perception Survey Questionnaire
4.4.3 Table 1 Monthly Cash Income Features of Households
4.4.4 Table 1 Degree of Support or Opposition to the Proposed HPP Project, All PACs
4.4.4 Table2a Degree of Support or Opposition to the Proposed HPP Project, Hayanggabon
4.4.4 Table 2b Degree of Support or Opposition to the Proposed HPP Project, Cagdianao
4.4.4 Table 2c Degree of Support or Opposition to the Proposed HPP Project, Taganito
4.4.4 Table 2d Degree of Support or Opposition to the Proposed HPP Project, Sapa
4.4.5 Table 1 Fears and Apprehensions About the HPP Project
4.4.7 Table 1 Aggregate Wages of Construction Workers (Skilled and Unskilled)
4.4.7 Table 2 Aggregate Value of Local Purchases of Construction Workers
4.4.7 Table 3 Employment Days Created or Sustained by Local Purchases of Construction
Workers
4.4.7 Table 4 Employment Days Created or Sustained by Local Purchases of Construction
Workers
4.4.7 Table 5 Aggregate Wages of HPP Workers (Skilled and Unskilled)
4.4.7 Table 6 Aggregate Value of Local Purchases of HPP Workers
4.4.7 Table 7 Employment Days Created or Sustained by Local Purchases of HPP Workers (15%
of Retail Price)
4.4.7 Table 8 Employment Days Created or Sustained by Local Purchases of HPP Workers (25%
of Retail Price)
4.4.7 Table 9 Aggregate Value of Local Purchases of Town Site Residents and Corresponding
Employment Days Created
4.4.8.1 Table 1 Vital Health Statistics of Claver, Surigao del Norte, 2003- 2007
4.4.8.1 Table 2 Ten Leading Causes of Morbidity in Claver, Surigao del Norte, 2003-2007
4.4.8.1 Table 3 Ten Leading Causes of Mortality in Claver, Surigao del Norte, 2003-2007
4.4.8.1 Table 4 Environmental Health and Sanitation Profile of Claver, Surigao del Norte, 2004


4.4.8.1 Table 4 Environmental Health and Sanitation Profile of Claver, Surigao del Norte, 2004
4.4.8.1 Table 5 Health Personnel in Claver, Surigao del Norte, 2003-2007
4.4.8.1 Table 6 Health Facilities in Claver, surigao del Norte, 2007
4.4.8.2 Table 1 Vital Health Statistics of Impact Barangays, 2003-2007
4.4.8.3 Table 1 Leading Causes of Morbidity, Barangay Cagdianao, Claver, Surigao del Norte,
2003-2007
4.4.8.3 Table 2 Ten Leading Causes of Morbidity, Barangay Hayanggabon, Claver, Surigao del
Norte, 2002-2006
4.4.8.3 Table 3 Ten Leading Causes of Morbidity, Barangay Sapa, Claver, Surigao del Norte, 2003-
2007
4.4.8.3 Table 4 Ten Leading Causes of Morbidity (by age group), Barangay Taganito, Claver,
Surigao del Norte from October to December 2006
4.4.8.3 Table 5 Ten Leading Causes of Morbidity (by gender), Barangay Hayanggabon, Claver,
Surigao del Norte, 2002-2006
4.4.8.4 Table 1 Leading Causes of Mortality, Barangay Cagdianao, Claver, Surigao del Norte 2003-
2007
4.4.8.4 Table 2 Leading Causes of Mortality, Barangay Hayanggabon, Claver, Surigao del Norte
2003-2007
4.4.8.4 Table 3 Leading Causes of Mortality, Barangay Sapa, Claver, Surigao del Norte 2003-2007
4.4.8.5 Table 1 Environmental Health and Sanitation Indices of the Impact Barangays
4.4.8.6 Table 1 Health Personnel in the Impact Barangays (2007)
4.4.8.7 Table 1 Health Facilities in Barangay Cagdianao, Claver, Surigao del Norte, 2007
5.1.1 Relevant IAEA-TECDOC-727 Manual Tables

List of Abbreviations and Technical Nomenclature
o
degrees
o
C degrees Celsius
% percent
/day per day
α alpha
µg/Ncm microgram per normal cubic meter
µg/Nm3 microgram per normal cubic meter
µM micromole
µm micrometer
AA algal assemblages
AB non-living components or abiotics
AE actual evapotranspiration
Al Aluminum
AMPSA Application for Mineral Production Sharing Agreement
ANSI American National Standards Institute
API American Petroleum Institute
As Arsenic
AS/NZS Australian Standards/New Zealand Standards
ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers
BHS Barangay Health Station
BOD Biological Oxygen Demand
BSWM Bureau of Soils and Water Management
Ca Calcium
Ca(OH)2 Calcium Hydroxide / slaked lime


CAA Clean Air Act
CaO Calcium Oxide / lime
CBR Crude Birth Rate
CCD Counter Current Decantation
Cd Cadmium
CENRO Community Environment and Natural Resources Office
CH3OH Methanol
CLUP Comprehensive Land Use Plan
cm centimeter
cm2 square centimeter
cmd cubic meters per day
CMS cubic meters per second
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
COD Chemical Oxygen Demand
CP Certification Precondition
Cr Chromium
CTD Conductivity Temperature Depth
CTWG Community Technical Working Group
cu.m cubic meter
CVD Cardio Vascular Diseases
∆ delta
D depth
d/y days per year
DAO Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order
day-1 per day
dBA decibels
dbh diameter at breast height
DC/DCA dead coral
DCS Distributed Control System
DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources
DEPED Department of Education
DI Dominance Index
DILG Department of Interior and Local Government
DMT dry metric tons
DO Dissolved Oxygen
DOH Department of Health
DTI Department of Trade and Industry
E East
ECC Environmental Compliance Certificate
EGF Environmental Guarantee Fund
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EIS Environmental Impact Statement
EL elevation
Environmental Management Bureau-Department of Environment and Natural
EMB-DENR Resources
EMF Environmental Monitoring Fund
EMoP Environmental Monitoring Plan
EMP Environmental Management Plan
EQPL Environmental Quality Performance Levels
ERA Environmental Risk Assessment
ERP Emergency Response Plan
ESA Environmental Site Assessment


FDC Flow Duration Curve
Fe Iron
FGD Focus Group Discussion
FPIC Free and Prior Informed Consent
g gravity
g gas
g DW m-2 grams dry weight per square meter
gC/m3 gram Carbon per cubic meter
GLC ground level concentration
GOP Government of the Philippines
GPS Global Positioning System
GW Ground Water
H2 Hydrogen
H2O Water
H2S Hydrogen Sulfide
H2SO4 Sulfuric Acid
has hectares
HC hard coral
Hg Mercury
HH household head
HLA High Level Alarm
HLZ High Level Interlock
HPA High Pressure Alarm
HPAL High Pressure Acid Leach Section
HPP Hydrometallurgical Processing Plant
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency
IEC Information, Education and Communication
Igeo Index of Geo-accumulation
ind m-3 individuals per cubic meter
individuals/m2 individuals per square meter
INK Iglesia ni Kristo
IP Indigenous People
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
IV Importance Value
KBMS Karaang Banwa Marine Sanctuary
kg kilogram
kg/cm2 kilogram per square centimeter
kg/t kilogram per ton
KII Key Informant Interview
kJ kilojoule
kJ/mol kilojoule per mole
km kilometer
km2 square kilometer
kPaG kiloPascal Gauge
kt kilo ton
kwh kilowatt hour
lcpd liters per capita per day
LGU Local Government Unit
LLA Low Level Alarm
LLZ Low Level Interlock
lps liters per second
LTO Land Transportation Office


LWUA Local Water Utilities Administration
m meter
m/s meters per second
m2 square meter
m-2 per square meter
m3 cubic meter
m-3 per cubic meter
m3/s cubic meters per second
MAR Mean Annual Rainfall
MCLE Matte Chlorine Leach Electrowinning
MCM million cubic meter
mD meter diameter
MEF Minimum Environmental Flow
Mg Magnesium
mg milligram
Mg(OH)2 Magnesium Hydroxide
mg/kg milligram per kilogram
MGB Mines and Geosciences Bureau
mH meter height
MHO Municipal Health Office
mID meter inner diameter
million m3 million cubic meter
mL milliliter
mL meter level
mm millimeter
mm/month millimeters per month
MMT Multipartite Monitoring Team
Mn Manganese
Mo. monthly
MOA Memorandum of Agreement
MPDC Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator
MPDO Municipal Planning and Development Office
MPSA Mineral Production Sharing Agreement
MRF Materials Recovery Facility
MS Mixed Sulfide
MSDS Materials Safety Data Sheets
MSM Maximum Soil Moisture
MT metric ton
MT/d metric tons per day
MT/h metric tons per hour
MT/hour metric tons per hour
MT/y metric tons per year
MW megawatt
N North
N2 Nitrogen
NAAQG National Ambient Air Quality Guidelines
NAAQGV National Ambient Air Quality Guidelines Values
NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NaHS Sodium Hydrosulfide
NAMRIA National Mapping and Resource Information Authority
NaOH Sodium Hydroxide
NCIP National Council for Indigenous People


NGO Non Government Organization
NH Nickel Hydroxide
NHRC National Hydraulic Research Center
NIGS National Institute of Geological Sciences
NNW North North West
NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide
NOx Nitrogen Oxides
NPCC National Pollution Control Commission
NSO National Statistics Office
NW North West
NWRB National Water Resources Board
NWRC National Water Resources Council
OT other fauna
P precipitation
PAC Project Affected Communities
PAGASA Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
Pb Lead
PCO Pollution Control Officer
PE potential evapotranspiration
PENRO Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office
PGA Peak Ground Acceleration
PHIVOLCS Philippine Institure of Volcanology and Seismology
PhP Philippine Peso
PM10 Particulate Matter measuring 10 micrometers or less
PNSDW Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water
POM Princeton Ocean Model
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
ppm parts per million
ppt parts per thousand
PSA Pressure Swing Adsorption
psu practical salinity unit
RIDF Rainfall-Intensity-Duration-Frequency
RO run-off
S Sulfur
SC soft coral
SDF Social Development Framework
SDMP Social Development and Management Program
SE standard error
SE South East
SEASEE Southeast Asia Seismology and Earthquake Engineering
shoots m-2 shoots per square meter
Si Silica
SO2 Sulfur Dioxide
SOx Sulfur Oxides
sq km square kilometer
sq. m square meter
sqm square meter
SSE South South East
STG Steam Turbine Generator
STP Septage Treatment Plant
TDS Total Dissolved Solids
TESDA Technical Education Skills Development Authority


TMC Taganito Mining Corporation
tree/m tree per meter
TSP Total Suspended Particulates
TSS Total Suspended Solids
UPLB-CFNR University of the Philippines Los Banos-College of Forestry and Natural Resources
USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
USGS NEIC United States Geological Survey National Earthquake Information Center
Zn Zinc
ZnS Zinc Sulfide


Project Fact Sheet
Project Name Taganito Hydrometallurgical Processing Plant (HPP) Project

Project Location Barangays Taganito, Hayanggabon, Cagdianao and Sapa, Municipality of
Claver, Surigao del Norte (See Figure 1.0-1)

Nature of Project Construction and operation of a HPP and auxiliary facilities

Production Capacity Annual Output: 45,000 metric tons of Nickel in Mixed Sulfide (MS) Product
and/or Nickel Hydroxide (NH) Product and 4,500 metric tons of Cobalt in the
Mixed Sulfide (MS) Product

Proponent Name Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC)

Proponent’s 4th Floor, BMMC Building (formerly Solid Mills Building), De La Rosa cor.
Address Adelantado Streets, Legaspi Village, 1229 Makati City

Proponent’s Contact Tel Nos: (02) 893-4679; (02) 8934689; (02) 8126074
Numbers Fax No: (02) 8126075

The Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) Study conducted for the Taganito
Hydrometallurgical Processing Plant Project
is consistent with the revised Procedural
Manual for DAO 30-2003 of August 2007.
The Terms of Reference used in the
conduct of the EIA Study was based on the
environmental impacts identified for an ore
processing project and the issues and
concerns solicited during the public and
technical scoping meetings conducted on
29-30 January 2008.

Prior to the conduct of the EIA Study, a
series of public consultations were made by
TMC. The issues raised during the public Location Map of the Project
consultations include possible negative
environmental impacts of the project and the benefits that the project may potentially provide.

During the public scoping, the issues mentioned include the kind of chemicals that will be used and
how will they be disposed of, the exact locations of the plant and other facilities, and the benefits of
the project. Based on the results of the IEC activities conducted by TMC, the stakeholders were
perceived to be generally receptive of the project.

The Baseline Environment

The existing environmental conditions were assessed by conducting surveys and sampling for the
various modules involving the land, water, air and the people.

Revision 4 21 July 2008 Page i

The proposed project site is characterized by an ophiolitic suite of rocks and three distinct soil units.
The slope gradient ranges from rolling to moderately steep slopes. The area has three general
vegetation cover: brushland, limestone forest, and open forest. Of the 163 total number of species,
there are 58 Philippine endemics, three of which are Mindanao endemics. Eight species are included
in the Philippine National Red List. Faunal survey recorded a total of 97 wildlife vertebrate species
which is consists of four amphibians, four reptiles, 75 birds and 14 mammals. Twenty-five species are
endemics (i.e., 24 Philippine endemics and one Mindanao endemic). Two are near endemics.
Population status ranges from uncommon to common; while habitat is from grassland-parang type to
ultramafic and limestone forests (in this case heavily disturbed). Four species (i.e., three birds and
one mammal) are listed in the IUCN 2007, 2007 Redlist of Threatened Species.

Groundwater, surface water and marine water samples were collected and were tested for various
water quality parameters corresponding to the PNSDW and DAO 90-34 criteria. Except for the dry
season sampling in GW2, all groundwater stations have been tested positive for both total and fecal
coliforms. All heavy metal levels, except for chromium, are within the PNSDW limits. Only TDS level
particularly in station GW2 and GW3 exceeded the required limit during the wet season sampling. For
surface water stations, only total and fecal coliform levels exceeded the DAO 90-34 water quality
criteria in direct-impact streams. For marine waters, all parameters are in compliance with the
prescribed criteria, except for fecal coliform and dissolved copper (naturally elevated in the coastal
waters of Taganito and other regions of North Eastern Mindanao).

The coral reef study showed that the reefs off Taganito can be classified as relatively good with an
average cover of 51%, which is higher than the average coral cover of 32.3% obtained by Nanola et
al., 2004 for the entire Philippines.

Soft bottom assemblage had recorded a total of 35 taxa with an estimated average density of 3,403
individuals/m2. Some of the stations were observed to be covered with reddish silt. However, there is
no indication that it has an adverse impact on the soft bottom fauna.

The phytoplankton assemblage collected was typical of coastal waters, being dominated by diatoms.
The dominance of the identified zooplankton larval forms (nauplii and copepodite) is a positive
indicator of good turnover of standing stock translating to food available for pelagic fish. The number
of fish larvae is also quite notable at 1,061 ind m-3, for a promising fish stock.

Most of the detected concentrations of TSP, PM10, SO2 and NO2 are less than the NAAQS and
NAAQGV. Exceedance of TSP levels is attributed to the vehicular traffic within the mine site area. On
the otherhand, the very low detected SO2 and NO2 levels indicate the natural background of the area
where emissions are derived from vehicles/fuel burning equipment and use of fire wood for cooking.

Noise levels are all within their respective DENR limits. Of the ten stations, three are under Class D;
two are under Class AA and the rest under Class A using the NPCC classification.

The project-affected communities (PAC) are basically of mainstream stock (Surigaonon and
Cebuano-speaking settlers and their descendants). Only Barangay Taganito has a compact visible
indigenous community of 20 Mamanua families. Except for Sapa (6%), households in the PACs
derived their cash income from employment (45 – 53%). Employment is the largest contributor (52 –
66% of households) to household cash income except in Sapa (5%).

A household survey was conducted among the PACs. Sixty-six percent of the respondents think that
the proposed HPP project is “generally good for the community, Surigao del Norte, and the
Philippines”, 2% believe that it will benefit only other people but not me, my family or my community”,
12% think that the project is “neither good nor bad but not harmful” while 13% think that it is
“harmful/risky.” Overall, for all PACs as one area, respondents gave a mean rating of 7.58 out of a
scale of 0 to 10 where 10 means that they are strongly in favor of the project and 0 if they are strongly
against it.

Revision 4 21 July 2008 Page ii

Key Impacts and Mitigating Measures

The key impacts identified for the proposed project are:

• Site preparation activities for the various facilities will result to the alteration of
landuse/landscape as well as loss of habitat
• Land purchase for the project use might cause displacement and/or unequitable
renumerations
• The quarry operation of the limestone will result to change in topography, clearing of
vegetation and siltation

Ecologically and economically important species (based on the species inventory) will be raised in the
nursery and will be used for rehabilitation of cleared areas, if appropriate.

Landowners/tenants and/or status of ownership will be identified. An agreement between the owner
and TMC will be made. TMC will implement a compensation package based on existing laws and
regulations, as necessary.

Excavation in benches will be implemented in quarry areas to reduce the risk of slope failure as well
as minimize surface erosion. Slope stabilization measures will be implemented as needed in areas
prone to collapse. A plan for surface water drainage management will be developed to further reduce
the risk of related slope failure.

Revision 4 21 July 2008 Page iii

Executive Summary
Brief Project Description
Project Location and Area
The Taganito HPP Project covers an
approximate area of 1,000 hectares and is
located within Barangays Taganito,
Hayanggabon, Cagdianao and Sapa in the
Municipality of Claver, Surigao del Norte
Province.

Project Rationale
The project will enhance the resource
utilization capacity of Taganito Mining
Corporation (TMC) through the processing
of laterite both from stockpile and in-situ. In
effect, the project will provide the
technology which will enable TMC to utilise Location Map of the Project
laterite as raw material.

The project will also generate taxes and fees, provide employment and contribute to community
development projects and economic activities on a local and national level and further augment the
existing social development programs.

Project Components
The table below summarizes the project components:

Component Description Location
Hydrometallurgical Will contain high pressure acid leach circuit, Plant will be located south of
Processing Plant sulfurization circuit, hydroxide circuit, waste Hayanggabon.
(HPP) and water treatment, chemical and reagent
associated preparation circuits, boiler and power plant, acid
facilities plant facility, H2S plant facility, slaked lime plant
facility, administration office, vehicle shelters,
storage facilities and waste management
facilities
Tailings Storage Tailings dam will be designed to handle Tailings dams will be built
Facility approximately 6.7 million DMT of generated west of the HPP. The decant
tailings from the HPP per year. A decant pond pond will be located
shall be built to handle the tailings discharge. immediately north of the
tailings dam and west of the
HPP
Limestone Quarry Quarry operations are designed for an annual The site is located in
and its associated output of 2 Million MT of limestone material. A Barangay Sapa,
facilities (e.g. haul hauling road is approximately 30 km to the HPP. approximately 13 km west of
road) the HPP
Water Supply Will include diversion weirs and a desalinization Weirs of water supply system
System facility for seawater shall be located at the
Taganito and Daang Suba
Rivers; Collecting pond will
be located within the HPP.
Desalinization facility will be

Revision 4 21 July 2008 Page iv

Component Description Location
located in Barangay
Hayanggabon
Wharf Berths and Will handle chemical tankers (for acid and Wharf Area beside existing
associated methanol), bulk cargo (for MS products and causeway
facilities (e.g. sulphur) and coal barge.
vehicle shelter,
administration
Vehicle shelter will be used for installation, Near the vicinity of the Pier
office)
maintenance and repair facility for vehicles Site

Materials Storage Materials Storage Facilities shall be erected for Barangay Taganito
Facility the following materials:

MS and NH – products storage facility with
approximate area of 2,800 m2
Coal – concrete paved yard with an
Slaked Lime – concrete paved yard with an
Sulfur – concrete paved yard with an
Ore – unpaved with an approximate area of
80,000 m2

Ash Disposal Pit For disposal of ash from power plant Barangay Taganito
Townsite The proposed townsite will include houses (with Barangay Cagdianao
a capacity of approximately 10,000 residents),
buildings (e.g. school, church, hospital, hotel),
amusement facilities (e.g. golf course, park,
playing field) and other amenities.

Production Capacity Rate Annual Output: 45,000 metric tons of Nickel in Mixed Sulfide (MS)
Product and/or Nickel Hydroxide (NH) Product and 4,500 metric
tons of Cobalt in the Mixed Sulfide (MS) Product

Types of Waste The following are wastes that may be generated during the HPP
operation and the built-in management measures that will be
implemented:
Possible wastes that maybe generated Built-in Management Measures
A. Hydrometallurgical Processing Plant and Associated Facilities
HPAL Circuit - heavy metal leach residue (Al, Fe, heavy metals will go to tailings dam after final
Cr, Si, Ca) neutralization
Sulfurization Circuit – H2S emissions, ZnS and ZnS and barren liquor will go to tailings dam
barren liquor which contains Mg, Mn, Al, Si, Ca and after final neutralization; H2S emissions will be
H2SO4 very minimal and will pass through scrubbers.
Concentration will be within the standard.
Hydroxide Circuit – Barren liquor which contains Identified wastes will go to tailings dam after
Mg, Mn, Al, Si, Ca and H2SO4 final neutralization
H2S Plant – Sulfur residue Identified wastes will go to tailings dam after
final neutralization

Revision 4 21 July 2008 Page v

Slaked Lime Kiln Plant - TSP, SOx, NOx, CO Concentration of emissions will be kept within
standards
Acid Plant Operation – cooling tower blow down Identified wastes will go to tailings dam after
and waste heat boiler blow down final neutralization
Coal-Fired Power Plant – TSP, SOx, NOx, CO, Ash to ash disposal pit; Dust collectors will be
ash in place; low sulfur content coal and high
efficiency combustion will be utilized for the
operation
B. Tailings Storage Facility – decant pond Effluent recycled as process water in main
effluent HPP; supernatant discharged to sea near
wharf
C. Limestone Quarry – run-off with increased Gravitational drainage will be employed for
hardness due to calcium ions from quarry, the quarrying face. Drainage ditches will be
limestone dust/ TSP created on the quarrying roads and sand
basins for draining supernatant water to the
river.
Drainage ditches will also be created on the
transportation roads and set facilities for
sedimentary sands to prevent polluted water
from flowing into the river
D. Materials Storage Facility – TSP, coal dust, Provision for containment facility/clean
sulfur dust from stockyards, slake formed from up/disposal of expired materials
deposition of limestone dust, spills/excess/expired
Ca(OH)2 or Mg(OH)2 and other chemicals,
lubricants/used oils and batteries from
maintenance/repair, condemned equipment, used
tires
E. Townsite – sewage from residential, institutional Solid waste to go to MRF; waste water
and commercial sources, run-off contaminated by collection system/treatment; medical waste
fertilizer/pesticides from golf course, vehicle disposal based on DOH guidelines; fuels, oils
emissions, solid waste especially from market, fuels and grease will be collected by an accredited
oils, grease from vehicles and equipment, medical waste treatment company
waste

Manpower Requirement A maximum of 4,000 construction workers will be required during
the peak construction period of the project. During operations, the
HPP and its auxiliary facilities (excluding the limestone quarry) will
potentially employ 1,100 personnel. Approximately 200 people will
be needed for the limestone quarry operations.
Project Cost The total capital investment for the project is estimated at almost
US Dollars 3 Billion. Annual operation costs will be about US
Dollars 200 Million based on an annual maximum output of 45,000-
Ton Nickel and 4,500-Ton Cobalt Production
Project Phases Phases of the project include pre-construction, construction/
development phase, operational phases and abandonment phase.

Revision 4 21 July 2008 Page vi

Project Duration and Schedule

The project is envisioned to last for 30 years. Presented below is the schedule for the construction activities of the project. Pre-commissioning and
commissioning of the HPP will follow right after construction activities are completed.

Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5
Activities
-1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54

Infrastructure
Detailed Engineering
Ore prep.&Storage
Design of Facilities
Process plant

Ore prep. & Storage
Procurement
Process Plant

Construction
Infrastructure
Civil Process Plant
Ore Prep. & Storage

Ore prep. & Storage
Mechanical Infrastructure
Process Plant

Electrical and Process Plant
Infrastructure Ore prep. & Storage

Revision 4 21 July 2008 Page vii

Brief Summary of Project’s EIA Process
The Terms of Reference used for this EIA Study was consistent with the revised Procedural Manual
for DAO 30-2003 (August 2007).

The members of the EIA Team are composed of multi-disciplinary specialists and experts who have
extensive experience in the conduct of EIA studies for projects in the various industry sectors.

Role/Specialization Name
EIA Study Team
Project Director Jess Bayrante
Project Manager Naniel Aragones
Hydrologist Ben Rojas
Water Quality Specialist Aries Milay
Sediment Transport Specialist Fernando Siringan
Geohazard Specialist Malvin Kenneth Manueli
Risk Assessment Specialist Jake Tio
Geologist Malvin Kenneth Manueli
Air Dispersion Modeller Moreno Penalba
Air Quality Specialist Melissa Manguiat
Terrestrial Vegetation Specialist Abba Grace Sanchez
Terrestrial Wildlife Specialist Michael de Guia
Aquatic Biota Specialist Naniel Aragones
Coral Reef Specialist Lambert Meñez
Seagrass Specialist Napo Cayabyab
Plankton Specialist Kathleen Silvano
Reef Fish Specialist Naniel Aragones
Benthos Specialist Marivene Santos
Oceanographer Charina Repollo
Socio-economic/Stakeholder Consultation Specialist Willy Palarca
Anthropologist Felixberto Roquia
Public Health Specialist Romeo Quizon
Peer Reviewer Jo Rowena Garcia
Environmental Scientist Kathleen Anne Cruz
Environmental Scientist Ronaldo Lacsamana
Proponent Team
Vice President Reynaldo Vigilia
Assistant Vice President Conrado Tambiloc Jr.
Technical Services Manager Rogelio Cadano

Revision 4 21 July 2008 Page viii

Study Period

The EIA Study was conducted from January 2007 to April 2008. Below is the EIA schedule of
activities.

Date Activities
28 January 2008 Project Briefing at the Site
29 January 2008 Site Scoping
30 January 2008 Technical Scoping Meeting
January 2007 Primary Data Collection – Wet Season Sampling
April 2007 Primary Data Collection – Dry Season Sampling
January 2007 to February 2008 Secondary Data Collection
February 2008 Additional Primary Data Collection
February 2007 to April 2008 Data Analysis and EIS Preparation

The various modular studies and primary surveys were conducted at the perceived direct impact
areas which include the HPP area and the proposed locations of the auxiliary facilities, which will all
be located within the jurisdiction of Claver. The study area, along with the proposed locations of the
various structures is shown in Figure 1.0-1.

EIA Methodology

The EIA approach and methodology was based on the revised Procedural Manual of DAO 30-2003.
Consistent with the data and information requirements indicated in the approved Technical Scoping
Checklist, the study team collected secondary information from different government agencies.
Dialogues, liaison and coordination meetings and interviews were also conducted with TMC, local
officials, and representatives of stakeholders. Primary data were obtained through sampling and
surveys to supplement the secondary information.

Summary of Public Participation in Scoping and EIA Study

Below is a summary of the public participation activities prior to and during the EIA Study:

Pre-EIA Activities • Meetings with Community Technical Working Group; Community
meetings/consultations in Barangays Taganito, Urbiztondo and
Hayanggabon; Radio program news release;
EIA Activities • Public Scoping Meeting; household and perception surveys; key
informant interviews with representatives of stakeholders including
the Mamanuas.

Revision 4 21 July 2008 Page ix

Summary of Baseline Characterization

Ecosystem Findings
Land The project site is characterized by ultramafic rocks, mainly composed of
peridotites and serpentinite and three soil units (residual soil, transported
unconsolidated recent alluvial deposits and swamp deposits). The slope gradient
is undulating and rolling reaching up to 18% to moderately steep and steep
slopes up to 50 %. Among the identified probable geohazards include
earthquake, landslide, liquefaction, flooding, erosion, tsunami and coastal
erosion.

The area has three general vegetation cover: brushland, limestone, and open
forest (at the early stage of regeneration). A total of 163 morpho-species were
recorded with families Moraceae and Myrtaceae as the most speciose. There are
58 Philippine endemics, three of which are Mindanao endemics. Eight species
are included in the Philippine National Red List, which include three Philippine
endemic and one Mindanao endemic.

Faunal survey recorded a total of 97 wildlife vertebrate species which consists of
four amphibians, four reptiles, 75 birds and 14 mammals. Twenty-five species
are endemics (i.e., 24 Philippine endemics and one Mindanao endemic). Two are
near endemics. Population status ranges from uncommon to common; while
habitat is from grassland-parang type to ultramafic and limestone forests (in this
case heavily disturbed). Four species (i.e., three birds and one mammal) are
listed in the IUCN 2007, 2007 Redlist of Threatened Species.
Water The proposed Taganito HPP Project covers six river basins namely: Taganito
(subcatchment: Daku creek), Daang Suba, Hayanggabon, Sensio, Townsite
(unnamed) and Baoy-Magallanes (subcatchment: Sapa creek) Rivers. The water
balance for the basins considered for the Taganito project generally indicates
that the project area currently has a large volume of surface water (49.2% to
51.4% MAR) and groundwater recharge (25.8% to 26.5% MAR).

Water requirement for the construction of diversion weirs and tailings dam is very
minimal as compared to the water supply that may be available from
groundwater resources and river run-offs. However, during operations, the
dependable flow of Daang Suba and Taganito River is only about 61% of the
combined total water requirement of 53,000 cmd for processing, power plant
cooling and domestic water supply.

Construction of the plant buildings and facilities and other auxiliary components
of the project will decrease the percolation in the new built-up area while
increasing the surface run-off. The increase in the water run-off is estimated to
be at 5% to 16.6% while the decrease in the groundwater recharge is expected
to be 5.3% to 15%. The proposed tailings dam will cut-off the flow from the
headwaters of Daku, Daang Suba and Hayanggabon catchments. The diversion
weirs at Taganito and Daang Suba will also reduce the streamflow. The annual
mean flow reductions for the Taganito River and Hayanggabon River are 70%
and 90% respectively. Daang Suba will have an almost 100% flow reduction.

A decrease in the flood discharge and flood peaks will be experienced with the
establishment of the tailings dam and diversion weirs. Thus, possible impacts in
the downstream areas are also minimized.

Revision 4 21 July 2008 Page x

Taganito Hydrometallurgical Processing Plant Project - Environmental Impact Statement

Taganito Hydrometallurgical Processing Plant Project - Environmental Impact Statement

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